Issue: Disclosure

Press ReleaseWVCCEOctober 22, 2018Film Screening & Discussion to Highlight Need for ReformDark money groups spend millions to shape our elections at all levels of government without revealing where their money comes from. But it doesn't have to be this way. ‘Dark Money’ (darkmoneyfilm.com) takes viewers to Montana to follow an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. The film also shows how attorneys, elected officials, and local activists in Montana fought back and won. Come see the film and be inspired to help us fight big money in West Virginia elections MoreIssues: Citizens United, Clean Elections, Dark Money, Democracy, Disclosure

Press ReleaseWVCCESeptember 10, 2018Petition demands fair, transparent judicial electionsWith impeachment trials for current and former members of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals set begin in the State Senate tomorrow, WV Citizens for Clean Elections is worried that the legislative response to the recent spending scandal could enable a single party, through a pre-planned partisan impeachment process, to seize control of the third branch of Government for the next two years. We are urging West Virginians to sign the Our Court, Our Vote petition, which is addressed to Governor Jim Justice and members of the WV Legislature, and which demands a prompt and transparent special election for any open seats on the Supreme Court. MoreIssues: Clean Elections, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Transparency, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE BlogJulie ArcherAugust 1, 2018The Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform: Empowering People, Fighting Big MoneyThe Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform is a set of common sense solutions that can help put our government on a path to solve problems that affect us. This is not about Democrat vs. Republican; this is about fixing a broken system, and moving toward a government that’s more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of ALL West Virginians. The Pro-Democracy, Anti-Corruption Platform would increase accountability and transparency in West Virginia elections, make voting more accessible to all citizens, limit the influence of big-money in our politics, ensure fairness and impartiality in our courts, and increase citizen participation in the electoral process. MoreIssues: Democracy, Disclosure, Fair Courts, Transparency, Voting Rights

WVCCE BlogJulie ArcherJuly 13, 2018Political spending in judicial races need transparencyWest Virginians are rightly furious over Justice Loughry’s behavior, but we know they are also worried about another threat to public trust in the judiciary: the secret special-interest money in judicial elections. To rebuild trust in the West Virginia judiciary and the electoral process, we must shed light on the money that is being spent behind voters’ backs. Bringing transparency to the judicial budgeting process is clearly a part of this, but legislators should seize this opportunity to bring disclosure to the secret money being spent to influence our votes and skew justice in favor of corporate and special interests. MoreIssues: Disclosure, Fair Courts, Secret Money, Transparency, WV Supreme Court

Press ReleaseWVCCEJune 13, 2018Supreme Court scandal highlights need to improve trust in the judiciaryThe recent Supreme Court spending scandal and charges against Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry are an opportunity to implement reforms to improve confidence in both the judicial system and the electoral process. West Virginians are rightly furious over Justice Loughry’s behavior, but we know they are also worried about another threat to public trust in the judiciary — the secret special-interest money in judicial elections. In both cases, transparency has to be a part of the solution. The court must bring transparency to the judicial budgeting process and legislators must seize this opportunity to bring disclosure to the secret money being used to influence our votes. MoreIssues: Disclosure, Fair Courts, Secret Money, Transparency, WV Supreme Court

WVCCE BlogJulie ArcherDecember 20, 2017Brennan Center Weighs in on Constitutionality of WV Transparency RulesThe Brennan Center for Justice has weighed in to defend the constitutionality of a West Virginia law requiring those who make electoral communications to identify themselves when doing so. Read their letter in response to Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's misguided opinion on disclosure, urging Secretary of State Mac Warner to make clear to the public that he will continue to fully enforce all state disclosure and disclaimer rules with respect to candidates, political parties, and other groups that engage in electoral spending. MoreIssues: Disclosure, Secret Money, Transparency

WVCCE BlogJulie ArcherJuly 18, 2017Attacks on Democracy HaltedDuring the 2017 session, legislators introduced a number of bills that would have negatively affected our electoral process. With your help we were able to halt these attacks on democracy. In a nutshell: a bill to repeal public financing for Supreme Court candidates was defeated, strict voter ID was rejected, and automatic voter registration was saved, while a bill to a that raised contribution limits and created new loopholes to allow more secret money into our elections languished in the final days. MoreIssues: Dark Money, Disclosure, Public financing, Voting Rights, WV Supreme Court